Chapter 43
Chapter 43
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: Indefinite Contractors Receive Rewards (3)
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The higher the rank of a demon, the more problems arise during summoning.
That's because the connection to this world—the Material Realm—becomes extremely unstable during the summoning process.
So, contracting with mid-tier demons requires a stroke of luck.
Only low-tier demons like imps or the lowest ranks can be summoned purely with mana.
Starting from mid-tier demons, whether one appears at all, and if it does, whether it's the demon you want—luck plays a massive role in all of it.
That's why, for mid-tier demons and above, it's essential to use expensive magical catalysts or sacrifices during summoning to boost the odds.
The problem is that this only increases the probability, not guarantees success.
The ancient black mages devised a spell to bypass this uncertainty and summon the exact demon they desired without relying on chance.
It was a kind of loophole.
The inspiration came from fallen humans possessed by demon souls, granting them demonic powers.
"Mages possessed by demons can wield their powers and authority. What if we created artificial demon-possessed beings for contracting?"
"Artificial demon-possessed?"
"Exactly. Summon only the soul of the desired demon and possess it into a Material Realm creature. Contract with the demon in that state. Then kill the artificial host and resummon—the contracted demon should appear, right?"
"Are you a genius?"
It was persuasive.
Summoning only the soul dramatically improved success rates, even for high-tier demons.
Preparing catalysts to call a high-tier demon's soul, sacrifices to withstand it, and high-grade magical beasts was a hassle, but it opened a path to definitively contract high-tier demons—if you had the money.
The ancient black mages dove straight into research and experiments, yielding results before long.
An ordinary success... and a miserable failure.
[Regrettably, your theory is flawed.]
The summoned high-tier demon declared.
A contract could be made, but it was tied to the possessed flesh. When that body died, the contract automatically broke.
It followed the same principle as any human contract becoming void upon death.
Disappointed, the black mages settled for contracts with demons in artificial hosts, but even that fell short.
"Why... why is it so weak?"
[What did you expect? Did you think I'd perform at full capacity in someone else's body?]
The black mages had anticipated pulling out at least half the power of a high-tier demon using top-grade magical beasts as hosts.
Reality betrayed them.
The possessed demon's power was less than a tenth of expectations—barely scraping mid-tier levels, even for a high-tier demon.
Even its innate demonic authorities came with restrictions.
The soul was demonic, but the flesh wasn't. The demon's power couldn't properly anchor to the world.
"What is this? We spent a fortune for this?"
"Not even high-tier—barely mid-tier at best. This is a failure. A total disaster."
With the insane wealth needed to summon high-tier demons yielding only a half-baked mid-tier in return, the return on investment was abysmal.
Naturally, the black mages were bitterly disappointed, branding the spell a failure and letting it fade into obscurity.
Until 200 years ago, just before the Magic Tower officially recognized its first black mage.
Official black mages are restricted to mid-tier demons at highest for safety and security reasons. The maximum number of contracts is capped at three.
High-tier demons are strictly forbidden. Violating this brands you an immediate serious criminal, hunted by temples and mages alike.
But after unearthing the forgotten demon possession spell in ancient records, the Magic Tower added an exception.
Why? Because even high-tier demons summoned via possession were weakened to mid-tier power!
Still, most official black mages hesitated to use it.
It cost a fortune for just a half-baked mid-tier demon.
It felt like a losing proposition no matter how you sliced it.
That perception flipped when one of the first official black mages, Zero, used it to contract the high-tier demon Zmu.
"It's Zero! Zero's here!"
"Run awaaay!!!"
"Zmu! Poison Breath!"
"Got it! Kuuooooh!!!"
"Gaaahhh!!!"
The power of a demon contracted and summoned via possession was more useful than expected. No—immensely so.
First off, since it had a physical body, no ongoing mana was needed for summoning or maintenance.
For black mages, who burned through mana juggling summons and spells, this was a game-changer.
Plus, the host being a top-grade magical beast was a huge factor.
High-grade magical beasts typically lacked the brains to wield their immense power efficiently.
But what if that dim intellect was replaced by the cunning mind of a demon, synonymous with wickedness?
A top-grade magical beast that thought like a demon, wielded power with demonic efficiency, and could use demonic abilities (albeit restricted).
There was no greater terror for opponents—and Zmu, possessing a hydra spawn, proved it.
With Zmu at his side, Zero plunged into the chaotic imperial civil war, ending it and stabilizing the empire.
Naturally, Zero was etched into imperial history as a legendary hero, completely revaluing demon possession contracts.
No longer a money-pit failure spell, it became the pinnacle of magic: pour in vast wealth to command a high-tier demon's power in a top-grade magical beast—definitively.
A must-have for anyone aspiring to wield the same might as the heroic mage Zero.
Over the past 200 years, only a handful have claimed this prize.
Anyone with money could get it—but without money, no one could.
It required sacrifices worth at least a house in the imperial capital just to attempt.
And today, a black mage dared to claim this treasure.
His name: Daniel.
The first indefinite contract mage in Magic Tower history—and a 5th Circle black mage—to attempt demon possession contracting.
"My answer remains the same."
Daniel looked up at Gorgo and replied.
There was no hesitation in his voice.
"I want to contract with you, Gorgo."
[Why?]
"I'm interested in something other than your power."
[What might that be?]
"Your knowledge."
The demon dictionary in the Infinite Archive described the basilisk thus:
A scholarly demon more devoted to knowledge than strength, more to exploration than battle.
[Hoo.]
And that intel was spot-on.
Gorgo's eyes narrowed at Daniel's response.
Its chicken-beak mouth split wide in laughter.
[Hahaha! I see. You seek my knowledge! That's why you're using your one shot at a high-tier demon contract like this!]
"Precisely."
[Indeed. The prepared sacrifice, your courteous demeanor... You're no fool chasing raw power like lesser black mages.]
The room-shaking laughter faded as Gorgo spread its wings wide.
[Very well, black mage Daniel. I am Gorgo, seeker of knowledge from the basilisk lineage. I accept your wish—we shall contract.]
-Cock-a-doodle-doo!!!
No sooner had the words ended than black smoke surged into the basilisk's body.
The basilisk let out a brief shriek and collapsed like a puppet with cut strings. Moments later, it rose again.
Its eyes flashed ruby red.
Proof of demonic possession.
As the iron cage door swung open, the possessed Gorgo flapped onto Daniel's shoulder.
It looked like an ordinary chicken at a glance, but the immense aura packed into that tiny frame was undeniably demonic.
"Contract complete, Master. Looking forward to working with you."
"Yeah. Let's make it work, Gorgo."
"Use informal speech, Master. You're my contractor, even if temporary. The master-servant dynamic must be clear."
"Got it. Looking forward to it, Gorgo."
"Heh. Likewise."
Daniel smiled, having fulfilled one of the greatest wishes of every official black mage.
After contracting with Gorgo, Daniel headed straight to Foreign Legion HQ.
The moment he opened the door, every mage inside locked eyes on him—specifically, on Gorgo perched on his shoulder.
"Whoa. The rumors were true."
"He actually did a demon possession contract?"
"Look at that—a basilisk. No way a magical beast acts like a parrot without possession."
"Insane."
The whispers that had quietly spread for a week were confirmed true.
Mages from other departments, there to verify the rumors, sighed in resignation.
A rival already on their nerves had just leaped further ahead—no wonder.
'He's even closer to 5th Circle mastery now. Titania's faction is going to be unstoppable for a while.'
'Damn it. The Infinite Archive was headache enough—now he pulls the demon possession card? That's cheating.'
A successful demon possession contract skyrocketed a black mage's growth.
Even half-baked, it was a top-grade magical beast wielding mid-tier demon power freely.
Any mage gaining such a familiar would grow explosively—that was a given.
But the mages eyed Daniel for another reason.
'My god. I hoped it was fake, but he's really sporting that ultimate luxury item.'
'How much money does he have? Isn't he indefinite contract? Secretly some rich kid playing mage?'
'Come to think of it, rumors said he didn't donate all those top-grade magic stones from Kazan—kept some. Was that true?'
To non-black mages, demon possession was the "black mage exclusive ultimate luxury item."
The issue? It wasn't just flashy—it screamed value the moment you saw it, with massive bragging rights.
Luxuries seem wasteful but hold hidden worth.
One being their role as potent status symbols.
To these mages, Daniel was flaunting: "I'm rich, high-status, and skilled enough for a demon possession contract."
And it was mostly true.
Such displays naturally bred respect, trust, admiration—and influence.
Add his northern knighthood—an honor money couldn't buy—and denial was futile.
Daniel was an ace with honor, skill, connections, wealth—outclassing most regulars.
What future awaited Titania's faction with such an ace?
Simple: a bright one.
Barring some freak twist, it was set in stone.
'Should I hitch my wagon to them now?'
'Damn. Keeping their expansion in check is gonna be a pain.'
Ambitious mages pondered.
Those tasked with blocking Titania's faction groaned.
Their gazes followed Daniel's back.
Oblivious to the ripples from his contract, Daniel strode to the chief's office without a clue.
"Chief Titania! Reporting in. Demon possession contract successfully completed!"